Govt challenges Supreme Court order to move Imran Khan from jail to hospital

Pakistan's federal government on Wednesday approached the Supreme Court seeking a review of its order to transfer former prime minister Imran Khan from jail to hospital.

The government argued the ruling did not follow procedures governing the medical treatment of prisoners.

Why is the government challenging the Supreme Court's order on Imran Khan?

The government says the Supreme Court's transfer order overlooked the Pakistan Prison Rules, 1978, which set out a specific procedure for moving prisoners to hospitals. It also argues the order was issued without notices served on the parties, in violation of the constitutional right to a fair trial.

The review petition was filed through the Advocate General's Office and the Chief Commissioner of Islamabad. It came a day after the court ordered Khan's transfer to hospital in Islamabad for a comprehensive medical evaluation.

The government said the court had deferred a key question over whether the original petition was maintainable at all.

What did the Supreme Court order for Imran Khan?

The Supreme Court directed authorities to move Khan to hospital within two days and to arrange an immediate meeting between him, his sister Uzma Khan and his personal physician, Dr Faisal Sultan. It ordered that Khan remain at the hospital until September 16 for treatment and monitoring.

The government's petition also argued that an interim order should not grant relief that is effectively final before the case's maintainability has been decided. During Tuesday's hearing, the court asked for a full record of Khan's meetings with his sisters over the past three years and of his phone calls with his children.

What health concerns have been raised about Imran Khan?

Islamabad's advocate general told the court Khan had held 48 family meetings during his imprisonment. He said specialized procedures, including angiography, could be carried out at an outside hospital. Khan's lawyers have raised concerns over the cause of a reported blood clot and urged the court to prevent serious health complications during his detention.

The bench also sought a complete record of legal proceedings against Khan, including pending trials, convictions and cases where sentences have been suspended.

Khan, 73, has been held in Rawalpindi since August 2023 after being convicted in several cases. He denies wrongdoing and says the cases against him are politically motivated.